Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri confirms Federico Chiesa will be available against Inter, but will start on the bench and warns his players about Inter: ‘They remain a strong team.’
The Old Lady host Inter at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals.
The Bianconeri beat Inter 1-0 at the Stadio Meazza before the international break in March, but Allegri expects a different kind of game tomorrow.
“It’s a different competition, but it’s always Juventus-Inter,” he said at a press conference on Monday.
“We must create the conditions to qualify [for the Final]. It’s not an easy game, Inter remain a strong side, regardless of their moment. Actually, it’s in these moments that we have to keep our attention high.
“Too much praise for Juventus, and too many things have been said, which could lead us to lose touch with reality,” continued the coach.
“Tomorrow, we face a strong team, physically and technically. They have lost a few games, so we need to pay attention.
“Playing every three days means that we have targets. We are in the Coppa Italia semis and we must go all the way through. Then we have the Europa League quarter-finals and must fill our weeks until May.
“I don’t think the tie will be decided tomorrow, we need to take one step at a time. We must remain calm, rest today and tomorrow morning and prepare to face a strong team.”
His Inter counterpart Simone Inzaghi is under pressure, having lost the last three Serie A games and with a top-four finish in Serie A still in doubt.
“I think Inzaghi is doing a great job,” claimed Allegri.
“He already won the Coppa with Lazio who are the team that, after Juventus, won the most trophies in Italy over the last few years. At Inter, he won the Supercoppa and Coppa Italia.
“Inter are a strong team regardless of their moment. They played well on Saturday, creating many chances. It’s dangerous to meet these teams now, we need to be fully focused. Tomorrow, it will be more complicated than in Milan. Inter have strong strikers. I don’t know who will play in attack, they have four strong options.”
Juventus’ recent win in Milan against Inter was surrounded by controversy for a suspected Adrien Rabiot handball in the build-up to the Bianconeri’s winner, scored by Filip Kostic.
“[Davide] Massa is an excellent referee who will be able to manage the game well,” said Allegri about tomorrow’s match official.
“I don’t remember who the referee was in Milan, but they [referees] are all good and we have no fear. I repeat we’ll face a very dangerous team.”
After a short while, Allegri remembered the name of the referee who had taken charge of the most recent Inter-Juve.
“It was [Daniele] Chiffi! I struggle with names, they always make fun of me when I announce the line-up because I always get the names wrong but not those of my players.”
Chiesa will be available against the Nerazzurri, starting on the bench.
“He is available, he had his knee checked in Austria,” confirmed Allegri. “He has this tendon inflammation, but he’s feeling better and he’ll improve. He is available and he’ll go on the bench.
“Alex Sandro feels better, he has trained with the team, but I don’t think he will be involved. We have Daniele Rugani who is fit. Leonardo Bonucci is improving and will join the team on Wednesday.
“Paul Pogba has partially trained with the team. From Wednesday, he will stay with the team more and work to improve his shape,” concluded Allegri.